Fuel container



March 26, 1946. A. J. KLOSE 2,397,184

FUEL CONTAINER Filed Oct. 31, 1940 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 y f if flue/2257- [ose A. J. KLOSE ,397,

' FUEL CONTAINER Filed Oct. 51, 1940 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Mar. 26, 1946 Alfred Julius Klose, Inglewood, Calif., assignor, by

memo assignments, to Consolidated Vultee Alrcraft Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application October 31, 1940, Serial No. 363,590,

' 1'? Claims. (Cl. 244-435) The present invention relates generally to fuelv containers. More particularly the invention relates to that type of fuel container which is especially designed or adapted for use in connection with an airplane and comprises a bag of flexible material.

One object of the invention is to provide a fuel container of-this type which is an improvement upon, and has certain inherent advantages over, previously, designed fuel containers of the same general character and not only is more practical but also may becIeaned, inspected or replaced more readily.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fuel container of the type and character under wing structure and fuel container bag being broken away for purposes of illustration;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the center section of the wing structure of the. 1 airplane, illustrating in detail the construction and design of the webs and the manner in which they serve as part of the internal reenforcement of the wing structure and also as means for securing the bag in place and preventing collapse consideration which is designed or constructed x for disposition in the wing structure of the airplane with which it is associated, and comprises -in addition to the bag a plurality of laterally spaced bolt equipped flanged webs which are disposed within the bag and have a threefold purpose inthat they-(l) constitute or form part of the internal reenforcement of the wing structure; (2) serve as a medium for removably se-' curing the bag in place, and (3) constitute means for preventing collapse of the bag when the latter is in an empty or partially filled condition.

A further object of the invention-is to'provide an airplane fuel container of the aforementioned type and character in which the bag of flexible material is in the form of a pair of complemental sections, the margins of which are releasably' maintained in sealed or leakproof relation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fuel container which may be produced at a comparatively low cost and not only is extremely light as far as weight is concerned but also effectively and efilciently fulfills its intended purpose.

Other objects ofthe invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present fuel containergwill be apparent from a consideration of the followingdetailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel featurs which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined byclaims'at the conclusion hereof.

, In the drawingswhich accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like lettersand numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

of the bag when the latter is in an empty or partially filled condition;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which the margins of the bag sections are secured together;

Figure 4 is-an venlarged section of one of the bolts for removably or releasably securing the bag in place; and

Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4'.

The fuel container which is shown in the drawln gs .constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is illustrated in connection with, and constitutes a part of,- an airplane A. The latter is of conventional or standard design and comprises a fuselage a and an engine driven propeller a together with a wing structure. The latter is composite in character and consists of an inner or center section a and a pair of outer wing sections a and a. The center section (1 1s fixedly secured to the fuselage a of the airplane A and comprises a fore spar section a anaft spar section a, a plurality of V transversely extending sectional ribs 11 and a continuous skin a of airfoil contour. The ribs,

with the exception of the two nearest-the outerwing section a embody front sections in front of I the fore spar section a, intermediate sections between the fore and aft spar sections and rear sections behind the aft spar section a. The-two ribs which are nearest said outer wing sectiona are the same as the others except that they have no front sections. The, skin a, as shown in Figure 3, is reenforced by a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinally'extending stringers a of.

hat section type. The side flangesof these stringers are suitably secured to the inner face of the skin a Theouter wing sections a and a are located at opposite ends of the center section a and project outwardly therefrom. The section a comprises a fore spar section a", an aft spar section a, and a plurality of laterally spaced cross ribs a and also comprises a continuous skin a and a pluralityof laterally spaced longitudinally extending stringers a The ribs a are of sectional construction or design and all,

edge of the skin a".

clated with the center wing section a and com- 25 wing section a comprise front sectionszin frontof the fore spar section a intermediate sections betweenthe spar sections a anda", and rear sections behind the-aft spar section. The three 5 ribs nearest the wing section a. afe the same in design as the other ribs a except that they include no front sections. The fare and aft spar sections a and a, are longitudinally aligned with the fore and aftv spar sections a and a", respecl0 tively. The stringers are of hat section type and serve to reenforce or strengthen the outer wing section a Such outer wing section is removably secured to the adjacent or adjoining end of the center section a by way of a pair of opposed angle .15

bars al and a and a series of bolts a"- The angle bar a is associated with the outer wing section a and embodies an inner leg a" and an outer leg a. The inner leg fits within the inner face of. the skin a and is suitably secured to the outer wing section a The outer leg a of the angle bar a extends at right angles to the inner leg a and extends outwardlyacro'ss the inner The angle bar a is assothrough aligned or'registering holes in the outer legs 11 and a" andserve releasably or removably to secure the outer wing section a to the center section a The wing structure has a pair of opposed pockets a and a" therein. These two The 80 pockets are directly opposed to one another. The

pocket a is formed in the front inner corner of the outer wing section a and occupies the space in front of. the intermediate sections of the three innermost cross ribs a The other pocket is lformed in the adjoining front portion of the center wing section a and occupies the space in front of the intermediate sections of the two ribs (1 that are nearest the outer wing section a When the outer wing section a is removed from the center section a by removal of the bolts (1 the two pockets a and a are exposed and access may .be had to them. The outer wing section a is of the same design as the outer wingsection a and is removably secured to the other end of the center section a of the wing structure. I 1

. The improved fuel container comprises a bag I? of flexible leakproof material.

Preferably the bag is of the'self-healing variety and is formed 6 of the same material as the fuel container'which projectile and consists of a thin inner layer of vulcanized synthetic rubber Neoprene or Thickol), a coextensive intermediate layer of plastic t u h vulcanized rubber. The bag is of two piece I design or construction and consists of a pair of complemental sections 8 and 9.

-The bag section 8 is disposed in the pocket a .Such material is self- 2,897,184 with the exception of the three nearest'the center comprises a continuous side wall [0 and an inner e d wall II. It faces the section I and is arranged so that the free or outer margin of its side wall l0 fits against the, inner leg at" of the angle bar a". The side wall In of the section 8 fits loosely against the stringers a and is or such size that.when the section 8 is filled with fuel the weight of the fuel is carried directly by the center wing section a When the outer wing section a is removed from the center section the interior of the bag section 8 is exposed and is readily accessible for inspection or cleaning purposes? A pair of webs I2 with marginal flanges I; serve to prevent collapse of the bag'section 8 when the latter is empty or but partially filled with fuel.

The webs have'holes IQ for permitting the fuel in the bag section 8 to fiow into difierent portions of the latter, andv are longitudinally aligned with, and serve to complete, the two' outermost cross ribs (1 of the center section a of the wing structure, as shown in Figure 1. ,The end wall I I abuts against the front section or the third rib a from fixedly secured to the interiors of the stringers a".

Grommets I9 extend through and areanchored within the holes in said wall ID of the bag section.

8. These grommets fit snugly around the central p rtions of the shanks ll of the bolts I 5 and so grip the shanks of the bolts when the-bolts are fully tightened that no leakage of fuel occurs from the bag section 8 around the bolt shanks II. The nuts l8 are of the elastic stop variety and assist the grommets IS in preventing leakage of fuel from the bag section 8. Washers 20 fit around the inner ends of the shanks l1 and are interposed between the heads 16 of the bolts and the adjacent portions of the flanges l3 of the webs l2. When it is desired to remove the ba section 8 from the pocket a." in the center section a of the wing structure it is onlynecessary to remove the bolts l5. As soon as these bolts are released the bag section 8 together with the webs l2 may be removed bodily through the outer uncured rubber and a coextensive outer layer of in the center-section a" of the wing structure and 7 section a end of the pocket a The outer'margin of the side wall III of the bag section 8 is bent outwards, as shown in Figure 4, and is cemented or otherwise fixedly secured within a groove 2| inthe comer portim of the angle bar ,u".

The bag section 9 is disposed in the pocket a"? in the front inner comer of the outer wing section a and is the same as the bag section 8, except that it is in a reversed position. It comprises a continuous side wall 22 and an outer end wall 23' and is held against collapse by three apertured or hole equipped webs 24. The side wall .22 of the bag section 8 fits against the hat section type stringers a and is of such size that when. the section 9 is filled with fuel the weigh t of the fuel is carried by the outer wing section a The webs 24 are disposed in laterally spaced relation inthe bag section Sand are longitudinally aligned with and serve to complete the c three innermost cross ribs a of the. outer wing They constitute part of the internal The heads I6 of. the bolts are ad-' correspond to, and are arranged in the same manner as, the bolts Hi. The shanks of the bolts tainer includes the webs l2 and 24 which not only for the bag section 9 extend through and fit snugly within metallic grommets (not shown) in the holes inthe side wall 22 of the bag section 9 and have screw threaded outer extremities which fit within elastic stop type nuts (also not shown) on the interiors of the hole'equipped stringers a Said nuts are riveted or otherwise fixedly secured to the stringers When the outer wing section 11 of the wing structure is disconnected from the center sections the interior of the bag section 9 is exposed and access to it may be readily had. Should it be desired to remove the bag section 9 it is only. necessary to withdraw or remove the bolts 26. As soon as the bolts are removed from their operative or connected position withrespect to their nuts the bag section 9 is free and may be readily removed by pulling it through the open inner end of the pocket a in the outer win section a The inner or free margin of'the bag section 9 is folded or bent outwards, as shown in Figure 4. It fits within a'groove 28 inthe corner of the angle bar a and is secured in place by rubber cement or other suitable adhesive.

In addition to the bag land the webs i2 and 24 the. container, comprises a bulkhead 29. This bulkhead has the marginal portion thereof clamped between the outer legs of the angle bars a and a The grooves in which the adjacent margins of the bag sections side walls fit are shallower than such margins with the result that when the outer wing section a is bolted to the center section a there is no leakage between the bag sections 8 and 9 and the bulkhead and the margins of the bag sections side. wall are in sealed or fluid-tight relation. Holes 30 are formed in the bulkhead to permit the fuel to circulate between the interiors of the sections 8 .and 9 of the bag I. The bulkhead 29 coacts with the webs l2 and 2 4 to prevent surging of the fuel.

The container is provided with suitable means (not shown) for filling it and has any suitable means (alsonot shown) for connecting the bottomthereof to the fuel suppl means for the propeller driving engine of th airplane.

The herein described fuel ,container is characterized by the fact that it efiectively and efliciently fulfills'its intended purpose and-may be produced at a comparatively low cost due to its simplicity of its design and construction.

prevent collapse of the bag I but'also constitute part of the internal reinforcement of the wing structure, it is not necessary in connection with use of the container to change the normal arrangement and design of the cross ribs, spars and stringers.

Whereas. the container has been described as being for fuel and as primarily useable in connection with an airplane it is to be understood that it may be used as a holderor retainer for lubricating oil or other liquids and in connec tion with vehicles other than airplanes. It is also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with-a support, a

. for fuel or other fluid comprising a flexible. bag

carried by the support and formed of complemental sections, and a rigid web type element for preventing complete collapseof the bag when empty. extending across the bag interior and serving to divide the latter into adjoining chambers.

for fuelor other fluid, comprising an elongated flexible bag carried by support, formed of a pair of oppositely positioned cup shaped complemental sections and having releasable means for use thereof, extending across the bag interior,-

spaced from the ends of-the bag so as to divide for fuel orother fiuidfcomprising an elongatedsaid bag interior into chambers, and accessible for removal purposesupon release of said means and separation of the sections.

- 3. In combination with a support, a container flexible bag of self-healing material, carried by the support and formed of a pair of complemental oppositely positioned sections each consisting of a continuous side wall and an outer end wall, re-

\ leasable means for securing the inner or free marginal portions of said side walls togetherand in sealed relation, and rigid laterally spaced cross webs for preventing collapse of the bag during use thereof, extending transversely across the interior of the bag, spaced from the end walls ofthe bag so .as to divide said bag interior into chambers, having holes therein whereby the fuel It may be quickly and-readily replaced when punctured or damaged and is in condition for the event of-bag damage or injury to replace the entire bag. Because of the fact that the con- The I tional or composite design it is-not necessary in may flow back andforth between the chambers, and adapted upon release of the means and separation of the sections to be removed from said sections.

4. In combination with a support, a container for fuel or other liquid, comprising a flexible bag carried by the support and formed of separable complemental sections, and leakproof means for removably securing the bag to the support, in'-, cluding elements extending through the sections and releasable from the interiors of said sections when the latter are in separated relation.

5. In combination with a support, a container for fuel or other fluid comprising a flexible bag carried by the support and formed or separable complemental sections, and leakproof means for 1 removably securing the bag'to the supp rt emcontainer 2. In combination with a support, a container equipped parts.

from the interiors of the sections when the latter are in separated relation.

6. In combination with a support, a container for fuel or other fluid, comprising a flexible bag carried by the support formed of complemental sections and having releasable means for maintaining thesections in sealed relation, a cross web within one of the sections for preventing collapse of the bag, and leakproof means for i removably securing the bagto the support including bolts extending through the web, bag and support.

7. In combination with a support, a container for fuel or other fluid comprising a support carried flexiblebagformed of complemental sections and having releasable means for maintaining the sections in sealed relation, a flange equipped web disposed in one of the sections and serving to prevent collapse of the bag during use thereof,

and leakproof means for removably securing the bag to the support, including bolts extending through the flange of the-web, the bag and the support.

8. A container for fuel or other fluid, comprising a flexible bag formed 'of a pair of opposed oppositely positioned sections each comprising a continuous side wall and an outer end wall, a

, bulkhead between the inner endsof the two sections, means for releasably clamping the inner or free marginal portions of the side walls against,

and in sealed relation with, the bulkhead, and

rigid cross webs for preventing collapse of the bag dining use thereof, disposed in the bag sections and accessible upon release of the means.

9. In combination with a vehicle having a pair of removably connected parts with opposed pock- J 'ets, therein, a container for fuel or other fluid removablysecured together at the juncture of the pocket equipped parts by said means.

11. In combination with a vehicle having a pair of pocket equipped parts removably secured together, and a container for fuel or other fluid,

comprising a collapsible bag in'the form of a pair of opposed oppositely positioned complemental sections disposed and removably secured within the pockets respectively-having registering open inner ends releasably maintained in sealed relation at the juncture of the pocketequipped parts,

accuse 12. Incombination with a supporting structure in the form of a pair of pocket equipped sections together with means for releasablysecuring the sections together, a container comprising a flexible bag in'the form of a pair of opposed oppositely positioned section's disposed in the pockets respectively and removably secured together at the juncture of the Pocket equipped sections by' said means, and cross webs disposedin the bag sections and accessible for removal purposes upon removal of one of the pocket equipped sections and its bag section from the other pocket equipped section.

13. The combination of a pair of adjoining" supporting parts with opposed pockets therein, a bulkhead fitting between the two'parts, .means for releasably securing the supporting parts to the bulkhead, and a fuel container comprising 8 8 basin the pocket and a web-like element.

disposed wholly-within and extending across the i a pair of complemental oppositely positioned hol-. low sections disposed and removably secured with:-

in the pockets respectively and having certain margins clamped by the pocket equipped parts.

against the margin of the bulkhead. i

14. In combination with an airplane having a wing structure in the form of a center section with a pocket therein and an outer wing section removably secured to the center section and provided with a pocket adjoining the pocket of the center section, a fuel container comprising a pair of complemental hollow sections disposed-and removably secured within the pockets respectively and removably secured together at the juncture of the two wing sections.

15. In combination with an airplane having a wing structure-including an-incomplete rib and an external skin, and provided with a pocket therein adjacent the rib, a fuel container comprisinterior of the bag and aligned with, and serving to complete, said incomplete rib.

16. In combination with an airplane having a wing structure formed of an external skin and an internal reenforcement including a plurality of adjacent incomplete ribs, and provided with a pocket therein adjacent said ribs, a fuel container comprising a flexible bag in the pocket and a plurality of webs disposed in the bagv and aligned equipped cross webs disposed therein and aligned I with and serving to complete said ribs.

1'7. In combination with an airplane having a wing structure formed 'ofan extemal'skin and w an internal reenforcement including a plurality of adjacent incomplete ribs, and providedwith a pocket therein adjacent said ribs, a fuel containing in the pocket having a, plurality of hole with and serving to complete the ribs.

VALFRED JULIUS KLosE. 

